Likewise, Even Supposing The Viceroy To Lose Many Men In The Fight, He Could Be Again Supplied From The Nearest Towns Belonging To The Portuguese, By Means Of His Frigates; Whereas We Could Not Have A Single Man Replaced, Whatever Number We Might Have Slain Or Disabled.

Having none of our merchants aboard, as they were all employed in the country, or with Mr Elkington in

Our factory at Surat, I sent for all the masters, on the night of this Thursday the 19th January, desiring them and some of the mates to come to supper with me on board the Gift. I then made them a speech on our present situation, desiring every one to give his opinion freely, how we might best proceed in our present straits. I declared to them my confidence in God, notwithstanding all the force of these bragging Portuguese, that their injurious attempts would not prevail against us, who had been careful not to wrong them in the Indies. I represented also to them, the jealousy entertained of us by the nabob and other chief men of the country, because we had refrained from firing at the saucy bragging frigates.

I found all the masters willing and tractable to my heart's desire. We had some few discourses about our provident mooring, as also about removing a little lower down. I then proposed my plan to them, desiring to have their free opinion. I represented that our ships were now in as good condition for battle as we could make them, yet our danger by night, if we continued where we were, was not small, however provident we might be.

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